Subtitles section Play video Print subtitles One of Donald Trump’s loyal defenders — “I will do anything to protect Mr. Trump.” — flipped. “I am ashamed because I know what Mr. Trump is. He is a racist. He is a con man. And he is a cheat.” President Trump’s former personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, has become a central figure in investigations related to the 2016 election. So how did this happen? Cohen began working for the Trump Organization in 2007. His job: to make problems go away. Part fixer. “They say I’m Mr. Trump’s pitbull. His right hand man.” Part lawyer. Two of those problems? Trump’s alleged affairs with Stormy Daniels and Karen McDougal. Cohen says Trump directed him to arrange payments to keep them quiet. Cohen: “When it comes time for the financing, which will be —” [Unclear] Trump: “What financing?” Cohen: “Well, I have to pay … [Unclear] No no, no, no. I got — no, no no.” This deal, among other things, caught the attention of Special Counsel Robert Mueller and in April of 2018 — “The New York Times —” “— just reported that the F.B.I. —” “— raided the home and office of —“ “Donald Trump’s longtime lawyer, Michael Cohen.” At the time, Trump stood by him. “Good man. It’s a total witch hunt.” But things changed after Cohen agreed to cooperate with Mueller’s investigators. “Mr. Cohen will continue to cooperate.” “ —because he’s a weak person, and not a very smart person.” Both men say the other is lying. “The man doesn’t tell the truth.” “He’s lying, very simply, to get a reduced sentence.” In 2018, Cohen faced multiple charges in two different cases. Federal prosecutors in New York charged him with campaign finance violations for the hush money payments. They also found evidence of tax evasion and that Cohen lied to a bank. Mueller’s team then charged Cohen with lying to Congress about negotiations to build a Trump Tower in Moscow, a project which involved President Trump and extended into the 2016 election. Cohen pleaded guilty on all counts. So what’s next? Cohen was sentenced to just over three years in prison, which he’ll start serving in May. He’s continued to cooperate with prosecutors and testified before Congress. “I have fixed things, but I am no longer your fixer, Mr. Trump.” “Michael Cohen!”
B2 TheNewYorkTimes cohen trump cooperate mueller michael Why Michael Cohen Is a Key Witness | NYT News 14 1 林宜悉 posted on 2020/03/25 More Share Save Report Video vocabulary